Active Volcanoes in Hawaii are Exciting

When anyone mentions the island state, the first things people think of are the active volcanoes in Hawaii.  While there are the beaches, the hula and brilliant flowers, Hawaii is better known for its very active volcanoes more than anything else.  The Hawaiian Islands are some of the youngest land masses on Earth, with the live volcanoes continually bringing up magma to make even more land.  A glimpse at active volcanoes in Hawaii is a small look into Earth’s primordial past.

Kilauea

The most famous and recorded of Hawaii’s volcanoes is Kilauea, on the Big Island.  It is considered to be the most active live volcanoes in the world.  The most recent major eruption was in 1983, but activity is still present.  Kilauea is considered sacred; the home of the beneficial fire Goddess Pele.  This Goddess is beloved by native Hawaiians even today, but she is apparently always at odds with her sister, Na-Maka-o-kaha’i, the Goddess of the Sea.  According to the natives, they fight continually, with Kilauea sending lava flowing into the sea, while her sea goddess sister constantly cooling it off.

Active volcanoes in Hawaii will always have a home

The best place to see active volcanoes in Hawaii up close is at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is the best place to go for volcano watching.  It currently has two active volcanoes.  Interestingly enough, because of the volcano’s lava, the land around it is incredibly fertile.  When visiting the park, it is a little odd to see that such a lush tropical environment can grow right around the erupting live volcanoes. 

In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you can watch insects and wildlife, camp, hike, or bike.  If you only have a couple of hours to spare, it is recommended to go on a guided tour which will take you right to the active volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

The weather at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is unpredictable, so be ready for anything.  The Park itself recommends that you bring the right clothing in case of severe weather.  Also remember that parts of this island can get up to 500 inches of rain annually, so a slicker or raincoat is recommended.  An umbrella won’t do very much to keep you dry because of the high winds that may occur during severe weather, but it’s still a great place to spend the night.  Being able to brag about spending the night next to active volcanoes in Hawaii is a great conversation starter.